Dinner wrapped up on a cheerful note.
Per the "Boarder Rules," Bai Ling naturally got stuck with dish duty—scrubbing bowls and chopsticks with gritted teeth in the kitchen while Duan Heng lounged on the second-floor balcony, leisurely picking off Zombies with his handmade crossbow. Their "seamless division of labor" carried on as daily routine.
...
"EMERGENCY BROADCAST: With 90% of humanity mutated into Zombies—and certain strains exhibiting extreme aggression and physical prowess—the military has been crippled."
"STOCKPILE FOOD. STAY INDOORS. SEAL ALL WINDOWS AND DOORS! ABANDON ALL PETS. REPEAT: ABANDON ALL PETS! Any infected animal mutates rapidly. Bite victims almost always become high-threat Zombies."
"The government is working tirelessly on solutions. DO NOT LOSE HOPE. Await official updates. Volunteers wishing to join government forces should register at designated locations per provincial online notices."
"Lastly... may you all survive."
...
This message had looped endlessly across Huaxia’s radios, TVs, and networks since afternoon. No one knew why the military collapsed so easily—but everyone understood: no saviors were coming. Survival now rested on their own shoulders.
Night fell. The city streets emptied of living souls, haunted only by shambling monsters and their guttural growls.
And in this grim reality, one terrifying problem loomed before Bai Ling—a problem demanding her courage...
Namely!
*Whoosh!*
"Come on! Don’t be shy! This spot’s saved just for you!"
On the double bed!
Duan Heng, pajama-clad and beaming under the covers, patted the empty space beside him.
Bai Ling’s eye twitched. Her fists clenched. Veins throbbed on her forehead as she gritted her teeth—a scowl both furious and adorably flustered.
"SAVED FOR MY GRANDPA! WHO’D SLEEP WITH YOU, BASTARD?!"
*Pfft—*
Duan Heng snorted, then feigned innocence.
"But Bai Ling... there’s no other bed. I didn’t plan for guests when I renovated~"
"No bed? Fine! I’ll take the couch! DIE!"
*SLAM—*
Pillow clutched, Bai Ling stormed out. Duan Heng merely smirked, pulled the covers up, and drifted off.
...
*Damn it! Unfair!*
*Why’s he got me wrapped around his finger? He used to need me to carry him in games!*
Curled alone on the living room sofa, Bai Ling hugged her pillow, face shadowed with gloom.
*I need to get stronger than Duan Heng! Show him who’s boss!*
*System! Give me a useful skill! Make me head of this household—crush him underfoot!*
*...Wait. Why does that sound weird?*
She scratched her chin, puzzled—
As if answering, white text flickered in her mind:
*Combat Power: 13 | Zombies Eliminated: 1 | Current Level: 1.*
*...............*
Staring at that glaring "1," Bai Ling’s eyes dulled into utter despair...
But she refused to yield! Moments later, she sprang up, marched to the balcony, and declared:
*Fine! I’ll grind Zombies tonight! Out-level him before dawn!*
*Just wait, Duan Heng—I’ll surpass you! I may be a girl now, but don’t mess with me!*
*Uh...*
Her resolve faltered at the balcony door.
Beyond the glass: pitch-black night. Silent streets. A pale moon cast eerie light on the chilling wind. Faint, inhuman growls echoed—alongside a distant human scream.
Then she saw it: a Zombie in the street below, jaws slack, bloodshot eyes locked onto her.
*...............*
*SLAM—*
The bedroom door burst open.
Duan Heng turned, startled. Bai Ling stood in the doorway, silent and sullen.
"Back already?" he blinked.
Ignoring him, she stomped to the closet, wrestled out spare bedding, and spread it stiffly on the bed.
Only after burrowing under the covers—wrapped tight as a dumpling beside him—did she shoot him a disdainful glance.
"It’s freezing out there. I’m sleeping in the bed."
She inched her "dumpling" closer. Duan Heng bit back a laugh.
"Must be cold indeed... for a Pinnacle-tier body to retreat under blankets."
"SHUT UP!" Crimson-faced, she buried her head in the pillow. *It’s NOT because I’m scared! Just... cold!*
As she fumed, Duan Heng’s gaze snapped to the window. His smile vanished. He slid out of bed, pulled on pants, and headed for the door.
"Hey! I didn’t say *you* take the couch! Where are you going?!"
He glanced back, grinning wickedly.
"That eager to share my bed? Just heading to the bathroom."
"SCRAM!"
She kicked—missing by inches.
Duan Heng shook his head, hand on the doorknob.
"Be right back. Don’t miss me too much."
"GET LOST!"
*THWACK—*
A pillow flew. The door slammed, blocking it. Laughter hung in the air.
Bai Ling didn’t see what happened next.
The moment the door closed, Duan Heng’s smile died. His eyes turned icy cold. Staring out the window, he silently plucked a dagger from the wall...
Outside the villa—
Two figures crept toward the gate, shadows against the fence.
"Husband—it’s this house!" the woman hissed, venom in her voice. "That bastard refused to open the door when Zombies chased me today! I saw him haul crates inside days ago. Kill him, and we’ll have food!"
The man smirked, confident. "Relax. I avenged you—I’ve killed plenty of Zombies. Each kill levels you up. Most don’t even know that yet."
"Duan Heng hasn’t left his house all day. Probably a pushover. Let him be my first real prey. Heh heh heh..."
